Knuckle boom crane

Abstract

A knuckle boom crane includes a base with a top surface and a bottom surface, a slewing platform fixedly coupled to the top surface, a slew column rotatably coupled to the slewing platform, a counterweight coupled to the slew column and configured to pivot with the slew column, an intermediate boom pivotably coupled to the slew column, and a telescoping outer boom pivotably coupled to the intermediate boom. The knuckle boom crane further includes a plurality of outriggers pivotably coupled to the top surface between a stored position and a supporting position, a robotic driving unit rotatably coupled to the bottom surface and configured to drive the knuckle boom crane, and a plurality of base lifts coupled to the bottom surface and adjustable between a retracted and an extended position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A knuckle boom crane comprising:
 a base with a top surface and a bottom surface;   a slew column rotatably coupled to the base;   a counterweight coupled to the slew column and configured to rotate with the slew column;   a telescoping boom pivotably coupled to the slew column;   a plurality of outriggers coupled to the top surface of the base and pivotable between a stored position and a supporting position; and   a robotic driving unit coupled to the bottom surface of the base and configured to drive the knuckle boom crane.   
     
     
         2 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of outriggers supports a weight of the knuckle boom crane when the plurality of outriggers is in the supporting position. 
     
     
         3 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of base lifts coupled to the bottom surface and adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     
     
         4 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of base lifts supports a weight of the knuckle boom crane when the plurality of base lifts is in the extended position. 
     
     
         5 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , wherein the robotic driving unit supports a weight of the knuckle boom crane when the plurality of outriggers is in the stored position. 
     
     
         6 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , wherein the knuckle boom crane has a width no greater than ten feet. 
     
     
         7 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , wherein the knuckle boom crane is operably connected to a power pack that is spaced apart from the knuckle boom crane. 
     
     
         8 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 7 , wherein the power pack includes a hydraulic unit configured to pivot the plurality of outriggers between the stored position and the supporting position. 
     
     
         9 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , wherein the robotic driving unit is electronically connected to an external controller. 
     
     
         10 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of outriggers is angled in an upright direction when the plurality of outriggers is in the stored position. 
     
     
         11 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate boom pivotably coupled to the slew column wherein the telescoping boom is pivotably coupled to the intermediate boom. 
     
     
         12 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 1 , further comprising a slewing platform fixedly coupled to the top surface of the base wherein the slew column is rotatably coupled to the slewing platform. 
     
     
         13 . A knuckle boom crane comprising:
 a base with a top surface and a bottom surface;   a slew column rotatably coupled to the base;   a telescoping boom pivotably coupled to the slew column;   a plurality of outriggers coupled to the top surface of the base; and   a robotic driving unit rotatably coupled to the bottom surface of the base, the robotic driving unit connected to a controller configured to control operation of the robotic driving unit to drive the knuckle boom crane.   
     
     
         14 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 13 , wherein the knuckle boom crane is operably connected to a power pack spaced apart from the knuckle boom crane, and wherein the controller is positioned on the power pack. 
     
     
         15 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 14 , wherein the power pack includes a plurality of wheels configured to move the power pack along a surface with the knuckle boom crane. 
     
     
         16 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 13 , wherein the robotic driving unit supports a weight of the knuckle boom crane. 
     
     
         17 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of wheels coupled to the bottom surface of the base, wherein the robotic driving unit and the plurality of wheels support the weight of the knuckle boom crane. 
     
     
         18 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 13 , wherein the robotic driving unit includes a motor and a plurality of wheels operationally coupled to the motor. 
     
     
         19 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 13 , further comprising a counterweight coupled to the slew column and configured to rotate with the slew column. 
     
     
         20 . The knuckle boom crane of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of base lifts coupled to the bottom surface of the base and adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the plurality of base lifts supports a weight of the knuckle boom crane when the plurality of base lifts is in the extended position.